1.2.1

The Terms: Territory

Test yourself

Territory

An easy way to remember the TOV is to use the term ‘TRAWL’. T is for Territory: the Germans had lots of land taken off them.

Illustrative background for ColoniesIllustrative background for Colonies ?? "content

Colonies

  • Germany's colonies in Africa were taken away and given to the League of Nations to control as ‘mandates’.
  • In reality, the countries that controlled them were Great Britain and France.
Illustrative background for The RhinelandIllustrative background for The Rhineland ?? "content

The Rhineland

  • The Rhineland - an area of land between France and Germany - was demilitarized.
    • Demilitarization means that no troops or weapons would be allowed there.
    • The reason for this was to create a 'buffer zone' as France feared another German invasion.
  • This was an area that was on the border of Germany.
  • This gave France security that Germany wouldn’t be strong enough militarily to attack them right on their border.
Illustrative background for The Polish Corridor Illustrative background for The Polish Corridor  ?? "content

The Polish Corridor

  • Germany was split as the Polish Corridor was given to Poland so that they could have access to sea trade.
  • The ‘Polish Corridor’ was an extension of Poland’s territory that cut off East Prussia from the rest of Germany.
  • Poland's emergence was a direct consequence of the Treaty of Versailles.
Illustrative background for New countries Illustrative background for New countries  ?? "content

New countries

  • Eight new countries were created in the Treaty of Versailles using land that used to belong to Germany.
  • Due to this, some countries had German-speaking people in them.
  • This would later prove a motivation for Hitler to reunite all German-speaking people.

Territory

Germans had lots of land taken off them due to the Treaty of Versailles.

Illustrative background for Confiscated land Illustrative background for Confiscated land  ?? "content

Confiscated land

  • 13% of all German land was taken away including areas such as:
    • Alsace Lorraine.
    • Eupen.
    • Malmedy.
Illustrative background for Alsace Lorraine Illustrative background for Alsace Lorraine  ?? "content

Alsace Lorraine

  • Alsace Lorraine was given to France as it had previously been owned by the country before Germany had taken it in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian War.
Illustrative background for The SaarIllustrative background for The Saar ?? "content

The Saar

  • The Saar (Germany’s industrial area) was given to France to make sure that Germany would pay the reparations to France.
  • If Germany did not pay their reparations, then the Saar would not be returned to them.
  • It would be worth mentioning that the Saar was incredibly economically valuable for Germany as it contained rich coal fields.
  • Then after 15 years, the people would be given the vote whether to return to Germany or not.
Illustrative background for AnschlussIllustrative background for Anschluss ?? "content

Anschluss

  • Germany had united with Austria in an alliance during the First World War.
  • One of the terms of the Treaty was that Germany wasn’t allowed to ever unite with Austria (Anschluss) again.
    • The term Anschluss means unification with Austria.
Illustrative background for German citizens Illustrative background for German citizens  ?? "content

German citizens

  • After the creation of new countries and the removal of German land, a total of 6 million German people were no longer living on German soil.
  • In total, 13% of all German land was taken away.

Jump to other topics

1Was the Treaty of Versailles Fair?

2Was the League of Nations a Success?

3How did Hitler's Foreign Policy Impact the War?

4Who was to Blame for the Cold War?

5Did the US Contain the Spread of Communism?

6How was USSR's Control Over Eastern Europe?

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium